SIALKOT: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday cautioned that India could orchestrate a `false-flag operation` to blame Pakistan, vowing a strong response if New Delhi carried out such a `drama`.

He suggested a potential motive was to overcome the `insult they faced around a year ago`, referencing a previous military encounter.`The entire world, in fact, their own public, taunts them that they are five times larger than Pakistan in every aspect population, resources, military, air force,` he added.

The defence minister warned that if India were to repeat its actions, Pakistan`s response would be severe.

`If they try to enact such a drama this time, then Godwillingly, we will take them to Kolkata,` he added, referring to the eastern Indian city near theborder with Bangladesh.

The minister`s comments followed a statement he made on Thursday in response to his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh. Singh had warned Pakistan against any `misadventure` amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

`Let me remind Rajnath Singh that the illusion of space for war between two nuclear states is inconceivable and has drastic consequences,` Mr Asif had written in a post on X.

The minister linked the heightened rhetoric to the anniversary of what he called a `staged false-flag operation in Pahalgam` last year, an episode he said, `failed to withstand international scrutiny and exposed New Delhi`s reliance on manufactured crises`.

The Pahalgam incident on April 22 last year involved an attack on tourists in India-held Kashmir.

India blamed Pakistan for the attack, leading to a brief military escalation.

Islamabad denied responsibility and called for aneutral investigation.

In his post, Mr Asif warned that history serves as a reminder that miscalculation has consequences.

`Marka-i-Haq remains fresh in our minds. The next time our response will be even more forceful and decisive,` he said, using the Pakistani military`s name for the conflict period. Mr Asif also commented on Pakistan`s diplomatic efforts to mediate between the US and Iran.

`Pakistan is playing an important role in the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, the defence minister said, adding that his country aims to promote `regional stability` and hopes the talks lead to a resolution.